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  • Lowering the Risk of Opioid Misuse

    Blogs: Lowering the Risk of Opioid Misuse

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Opioids are helpful when taken the right way. When misused, they can lead to dependence. This can lead to overdose or even accidental death. In 2023, about 76% of all overdose deaths involved opioids. Opioid misuse and related deaths have been consi...
    • February 12, 2026
  • Are Your Knees Telling You They Need Help?

    Blogs: Are Your Knees Telling You They Need Help?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Millions of people deal with aching knees. It’s one of the most common health problems, and it affects people of all ages. Some hope the problem will just go away. And for a minor injury like a strain, time and rest may help. But some people ma...
    • February 12, 2026
  • Everything You Need to Know About Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

    Blogs: Everything You Need to Know About Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Along with acronyms for preferred provider organizations (PPOs) and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), add two more to your list. Both can help you pay doctor bills and save money. Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (...
    • February 11, 2026
  • Bipolar Disorder Explained

    Blogs: Bipolar Disorder Explained

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    About 6 million adults, teens and children have bipolar disorder (BD) in the U.S. It’s often diagnosed before the age of 25, and it is a lifelong condition. Not All BD Is the Same There are actually four types of BD. With bipola...
    • February 9, 2026
  • How to Find In-Network Providers

    Blogs: How to Find In-Network Providers

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    There’s a lot to think about when deciding where to get health care – cost, networks, location and more. Being informed does not have to be tricky. We have resources available to help you make the best decision for you. Your online m...
    • February 9, 2026
  • Population Health: Strategies that Benefit Our Members

    Blogs: Population Health: Strategies that Benefit Our Members

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    Population Health has been described as “the overall health of a group of people.” At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we use different types of partnerships to improve the overall health and well-being of our members. We identify ...
    • February 9, 2026
  • What Is an HMO?

    Blogs: What Is an HMO?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    An HMO — or health maintenance organization — can help keep your costs lower and more predictable compared to other types of plans. With one medical group to coordinate your care, an HMO health plan is easy to use. An HMO health plan off...
    • February 9, 2026
  • Make Your Child's Smiles Sparkle

    Blogs: Make Your Child's Smiles Sparkle

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    A child’s mouth is important for many parts of their life — eating, speaking, learning and even self-esteem. Starting healthy habits early sets kids up for a healthier adulthood. Here are a few ways kids can keep their smiles bright,...
    • February 9, 2026
  • Know Where to Go When Minutes Count, or Anytime

    Blogs: Know Where to Go When Minutes Count, or Anytime

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    It’s important to know where to go when you need care. Sometimes the choice is clear. If you’re having signs of a heart attack or stroke, it’s best to go to an emergency room (ER). But what if you have a sore throat? Or an upset sto...
    • February 9, 2026
  • What Is an A1C Test, and Why Does It Matter?

    Blogs: What Is an A1C Test, and Why Does It Matter?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team
    If you have diabetes, you know you need to check your blood sugar regularly. But do you know you also need an A1C test? Blood glucose numbers only give a quick snapshot of blood sugar control at certain times of day. You may think your blood sugar is...
    • February 9, 2026
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  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-12/8_5F00_things_5F00_deductibles.jpg

    Ocho aspectos que debes saber sobre los deducibles

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect April 10, 2026
    Las coberturas médicas pueden parecer complicadas. Es útil saber qué preguntar y dónde encontrar la información que necesitas. Por ejemplo, piensa en los deducibles. Son importantes para tu bolsillo, pero ¿s...
    • 8747 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/0508.levels-of-care.jpg

    Niveles de tratamiento para la salud mental y el consumo de sustancias

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect April 8, 2026
    ¿Sabría qué hacer si un amigo o un familiar necesita ayuda con un problema de salud mental o de consumo de sustancias? ¿Qué tipo de ayuda necesitaría? ¿Quién podría ayudarle? No saber qu...
    • 5317 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/teen-mental-health.jpg

    Tres maneras de apoyar la salud mental de tu hijo adolescente

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect April 6, 2026
    Los adolescentes enfrentan más desafíos que nunca. Sufren presión en la escuela, con los amigos y en las redes sociales. No es de extrañar que su salud mental pueda verse afectada. No tienes que esperar hasta que tu hijo a...
    • 3900 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/teen-mental-health.jpg

    Three Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 6, 2026
    Teens are facing more challenges than ever. There’s pressure from school, friends and social media. No wonder their mental health can suffer. You don’t have to wait until your teen is in crisis to talk about it. Talk to your teen early an...
    • 9546 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-12/get-an-explanation-EOBs.jpg

    Una explicación de tus beneficios

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect April 6, 2026
    Fuiste al médico y pagaste tu copago. ¿Cómo puedes saber si tu reclamación fue presentada y está finalizada? Sencillo. Vas a recibir una Explicación de beneficios (EOB, en inglés). La Explicaci&oacute...
    • 8665 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/2475.stress.jpg

    The Impact of Stress if You Have Diabetes

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 3, 2026
    Traffic was a beast. You lost your phone. A few zeros seem to be missing from your bank balance. When you feel stressed, your body produces two hormones that raise your blood sugar — adrenaline and cortisol. Both are linked to the bod...
    • 24219 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/healthy-gut-healthy-life.jpg

    Healthy Gut, Healthy Life?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    You may have heard that your gut is your second brain. The saying gives a sense of how vital your digestive system is to the rest of your body. But what does it mean? A network of hundreds of millions of nerve cells called neurons line the gut, or...
    • 19940 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-05/6607.save_2D00_money.jpg

    Unlock Savings on Health Care

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    No one likes to pay for health care. But we need health care to help us stay healthy, manage health conditions and get care when we need it most. Health insurance protects us from the financial burden of unexpected medical costs. There are a few...
    • 6080 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-08/medicine_2D00_safety.jpg

    Medicamentos con receta o de venta libre: Sigue las instrucciones para evitar riesgos

    EquipoConnect
    EquipoConnect April 2, 2026
    Los medicamentos pueden ayudar a tu salud de muchas maneras. Desde medicamentos de venta libre hasta medicamentos con receta que tratan enfermedades que ponen en riesgo la vida, la medicina puede tener un impacto positivo importante. Pero solo si...
    • 1024 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/1157.healthy-pregnancy.jpg

    Staying Healthy Before, During and After Pregnancy

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    Taking care of your health is always important. But it takes on a new level of importance when a baby enters the picture. It’s important to step up your self-care while you’re trying to get pregnant, during your pregnancy and after you g...
    • 77698 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/minutes_2D00_movement.jpg

    Minutes of Movement Add Up to a Better Life

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    Not being active can be dangerous for your health. Inactivity raises the chance of getting serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Yet 1 in 2 adults — and 77 percent of high school students — don’t get enough physic...
    • 17007 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/1768.Blood-Pressure.jpg

    Is Your Blood Pressure Being Measured Correctly?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a serious health problem that often has no symptoms. Often called "the silent killer" it doesn't always have symptoms. You can have high blood pressure for years and not even know it. It’s impor....
    • 20443 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/blood_2D00_pressure_2D00_imapct_2D00_health.jpg

    Checking Your Blood Pressure Could Save Your Life

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range is one of the best things you can do for your health. That’s because high blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health problems. Near.....
    • 58370 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/what-does-thyroid-do.jpg

    What Does Your Thyroid Do?

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck that makes and releases certain hormones. Its main job is to control your metabolism, which is how your body uses energy. Sometimes the thyroid doesn’t work as it should.....
    • 5923 Views
  • https://connect.bcbsil.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-blogs-components-weblogfiles/00-00-00-00-02/5483.levels-of-care.jpg

    Learn About Different Levels of Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

    BCBSIL Connect Team
    BCBSIL Connect Team April 2, 2026
    Would you know what to do if a friend or family member needed help with a mental health or substance use issue? What kind of help would they need? Who could help? Not knowing what to do can be scary and confusing. But there are many things you can...
    • 28954 Views
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